Accelerated biological aging in peripheral systems (immune, metabolic, cardiovascular, hepatic) significantly increases the risk and progression of major neurological diseases. These systemic aging processes collectively and independently impact brain health, yet their interplay with genetic susceptibility and lifestyle factors remains poorly understood. The relationship between multi-system aging and neurological disorders represents a critical challenge in public health, as the mechanisms underlying these connections are not fully elucidated. There is an urgent need to develop integrated biomarkers and intervention strategies to address this complex interplay.
This study will systematically investigate multi-system biological aging’s impact on neurological diseases through three approaches: 1) Construct biological age metrics (ImmunoAge, MetaboAge, CardioAge, HepatoAge) using multimodal data; 2) Examine associations with Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, stroke, and brain structural changes; 3) Identify modulators by testing polygenic risk and lifestyle factors (diet, activity, sleep) in body-brain connections.
The investigation of multi-system aging has the potential to transform our understanding of neurological diseases, as studying these interconnected aging processes helps clarify the role of systemic factors in brain health and the shared biological pathways underlying age-related disorders. This research can move beyond describing statistical associations to deconstructing the causal mechanisms linking peripheral aging to neurological outcomes. The findings will provide crucial evidence for developing early detection methods and personalized intervention strategies to preserve brain health during aging.